allendalepharm Chapter 266 Grindelwald Wants to Be the Headmaster
Chapter 266 Grindelwald Wants to Be the Headmaster
Chapter 266 Grindelwald Wants to Be the Headmaster
Lockhart and Dumbledore made a deal.
Transactions without verbal communication.
The reason he dared to keep his formal training was because he knew Dumbledore would accept the deal.
This deal determined the ownership of Voldemort's capture and the resulting glory, as well as the ownership of his imprisonment.
Dumbledore seemed to take over everything quite normally, but in reality, although Dumbledore and Grindelwald contributed a lot in this battle, Lockhart was the key player.
Dumbledore didn't care who became the hero who defeated the Dark Lord. In the past few decades of his life, he was elevated to a high position because he defeated and imprisoned Grindelwald, and then became completely aloof.
The height is not cold.
Lockhart could see that Dumbledore had been trying to get Harry Potter to take over the honor for over a decade, promoting the so-called "savior" day after day.
The reasons for this are twofold: firstly, this honor was won by Harry's mother, and secondly, it reflects Dumbledore's high expectations for the new generation.
He is old, and the world is destined to belong to the new generation; he is willing to relinquish it.
But the situation is different now.
Voldemort set a very bad precedent by encouraging wizards and Muggles to cooperate, which had a very negative impact.
Dumbledore clearly realized that the conflicts between wizards and Muggles, and between pure-bloods and Muggles, did not arise because of Voldemort, nor would they end with Voldemort's defeat; they had always existed.
These conflicts can be expected to unfold along the path of Voldemort's collusion with Muggles, as everyone has seen the results.
At this point, Deng could no longer deceive himself.
That is, whether it's the middle generation or the new generation, there isn't a single one who can really do anything.
not a single one!
The savior Harry Potter? Ha, don't be ridiculous. Forget Harry, even Minerva McGonagall, who's always been by his side, wouldn't be a match for him!
He looked around and saw that there wasn't a single capable person among them, so how could he feel at ease?
Oh~
In fact, there is one.
Gilderoy Lockhart!
However, Dumbledore did not trust Lockhart, yes, not at all.
He always suspected that Lockhart, while yearning for a better life, didn't mind the terrible wars happening in the world.
Wars between the Ministries of Magic of various countries, wars between wizards and Muggles, wars between pure-bloods and Muggles, and even wars that engulf the entire world, involving wizards, Muggles, goblins, giants, centaurs, and everything else...
Lockhart probably wouldn't care at all!
This is why Dumbledore had to decide to take on everything again. He was old, his heart was riddled with holes and he just wanted a moment of peace, but he had to force himself to do this.
He had obtained Voldemort's Horcrux, the one made from his family's heirloom Gauntlet ring. He easily recognized the stone embedded in the ring as the Resurrection Stone, one of the three Deathly Hallows.
He longed so much to put it on and then see his sister Ariana.
but……
No.
He cannot die now.
Dumbledore, once he was determined to stand up for himself, was terrifying, a fact that Grindelwald experienced most acutely.
So when Dumbledore was about to take Voldemort away, Grindelwald and Lockhart didn't say a word.
But not saying it doesn't mean nothing happened.
They were all willing to give the highest respect to this "greatest wizard of the century," and Dumbledore naturally had to give Grindelwald and Lockhart, the two masters of magic, the corresponding respect as well.
This has nothing to do with personal feelings. Regardless of whether Grindelwald is currently a prisoner or whether Lockhart is working under him, this respect is essential.
and so……
Lockhart brazenly brought Coban Yaxley to the International Confederation of Wizards meeting!
Yes!
They just carried it there so openly!
The point is to let everyone know that Coban is one of his men, and that everyone should reluctantly accept and praise Coban Yaxley as a great hero who participated in the fight against Voldemort!
An undercover agent who made a huge sacrifice!
There's a very subtle point here.
Coban Yaxley was a seasoned bureaucrat who had previously served Voldemort, handling only official duties. Unlike Lucius, who also followed a political path, he didn't need to participate in frontline warfare like Lucius.
In other words, Coban Yaxley never actually fought the members of the Order of the Phoenix.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to still be able to appear in front of everyone openly for more than a decade without being targeted by people like Arthur Weasley.
Of course, the most important point is that these so-called "Holy Twenty-Eight Pure-Blood Families" have a great influence in the European wizarding world, in the Ministry of Magic of various countries, in the Wizarding Council, in the American wizarding world, and even in American Muggle society.
Lockhart could see the dramatic changes taking place in the Magical Congress of the United States of America. The integration of wizards and Muggles here was so profound that unless Dumbledore was determined to thoroughly enforce the Act of Secrecy to cleanse the country, it would eventually become the first place where the integration of wizards and Muggles would break out.
Change will happen here.
War will break out here.
This place will inevitably experience the most terrible destruction, but it will also usher in a new future where wizards and Muggles can coexist. This place will be the best testing ground for human society.
Having formal training in this area is far more useful than being a thug.
Therefore, Cobb's role in Lockhart's life is not entirely the same as Snape's role in Dumbledore's life; Cobb also played the roles of Lucius, Arthur, and Fudge.
Such a useful person.
Moreover, he had completely taken control of everything through his own magic.
Lockhart naturally wanted to stay with his formal training.
A new era is dawning. By keeping such a person around, he will occupy a more proactive niche, participate in the tide of the times, and usher in his own fairytale.
After all, this so-called new era only came about because of the arrival of this time traveler.
Who else but me!
Coban Yaxley found it absurd.
Officials from various national magic ministries and Aurors, and even many prominent figures from various sectors of society who participated in the meeting, found it absurd.
They watched as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic of England, representing the Order of Merlin, personally pinned the Order of the Red Chamber on Corban Yaxley's head.
First Class Medal!
The highest medal, representing the maintenance of peaceful coexistence between Muggles and wizards and the principle of not abusing magic against Muggles, is worn by the Corinthians.
Yes, this world is indeed absurd.
What's even more absurd is that Gellert Grindelwald was next to receive the Order of the British Empire alongside Dumbledore and Lockhart.
Grindelwald, a dark wizard who once led wizards in a plan to take advantage of the chaos of a world war among Muggles, also wore it.
Because he also opposed Voldemort, the Dark Lord, and because he also made a great contribution to capturing the terrible and dangerous Dark Lord.
Those who oppose Voldemort can be whitewashed; that's how the world works.
From then on, people had to forget why Grindelwald was captured and imprisoned in Nurmengard, and were no longer allowed to dwell on his past, because he was now a positive figure.
At least he can now appear openly on the political stage again, and even Dumbledore can no longer completely restrain him.
I have to say, Voldemort is really useful.
P.S.: Cedric, Luna, and Crabbe, the three people who participated in the battle, will also be awarded the Second Class Medal, but it will not be presented at this highly political occasion.
Perhaps this is the true nature of the world.
The biggest difference between wizards and Muggles is that, because of the existence of magic, politics can only take a backseat.
People like Dumbledore and Grindelwald, when they let loose and act freely, are capable of easily destroying the entire world. Such people deserve the utmost respect from everyone.
It's that simple.
Of course, most wizards would never think of this; they would only celebrate Voldemort's capture and the heroes who captured him.
Wizards wield power through emotions, but the vast majority of wizards have long since become slaves to their emotions.
Most of the wizards in the hall were more excited and enthusiastic than the Muggles, chanting the names of Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Lockhart wildly.
There were even cheers for the students who had studied classical literature. The cheers made the students feel awkward, and they would occasionally steal glances at Dumbledore, afraid that they might displease the big shot.
The entire venue of the International Wizarding Federation was extremely lively, so lively that even those who knew about it could only show excitement, pride, and joy along with it.
Then, the commotion reached its climax after Voldemort was carried up!
It was contained in an extremely exquisite birdcage, three meters high and two meters in diameter, with a golden frame; it was an extremely powerful confinement magic device.
Lockhart could only vaguely sense that the birdcage was just an external form of a magical artifact that ordinary wizards would never have the chance to come into contact with; the inside and outside of the birdcage seemed to be in different spaces.
He had never seen this thing before, nor did he have any of his formal memories, nor did the dozen or so powerful wizards in his mind.
The wizarding world has a long history that has created countless magical artifacts. For example, the Mirror of Erised at Hogwarts is now a unique piece. Modern wizards don't even know how it was made, nor do they understand why it can see the dead.
Lockhart observed the birdcage with some curiosity and found that it seemed to be arousing Voldemort's emotions, yet suppressing the expression of magic. Oh, not suppressing, it seemed to have some kind of outlet for releasing magic.
This made Voldemort inside the birdcage look furious and insane, yelling and screaming, but unable to unleash any magic due to the turmoil of his emotions.
The birdcage was quickly carried onto the stage, and Voldemort glared angrily at Lockhart, then at Dumbledore and Grindelwald, and finally at Cobban Yaxley.
"traitor!"
He roared furiously, "You traitor! It was you, wasn't it? You deliberately gave up that farm, trapping me there! I'll kill you! Kill you!"
Birds in cages and beasts trapped in cages are carried onto the stage as trophies for people to admire.
If Voldemort's anger could be channeled into flames, it would have long since reduced this land of North America to ashes.
He could no longer maintain that elegant, domineering demeanor. This loser screamed like a madman, angrily grabbing and shaking the cage, his eyes gleaming with a terrifying red light as he stared intently at the eccentric.
In the corner, Lockhart and Grindelwald obediently stepped aside, not wanting to steal Dumbledore's spotlight, and discussed in hushed tones.
"Will he really be imprisoned in Nurmengard?" Lockhart wondered.
Grindelwald's lips curled into a slight smile as he glanced at him, a cold laugh playing on his lips. "That castle is beyond Dumbledore's ability to repair, and I will not attempt to repair it!"
Repairing Nurmengard?
Are you kidding me!
Are you waiting to be locked up yourself one day after you've fixed everything?
Grindelwald can proudly say that in this era, in the entire wizarding world, only he has the ability to build such a prison capable of holding top-level wizards; even Dumbledore couldn't do it!
Lockhart chuckled knowingly, looking on with amusement. "So, can we expect some unscrupulous people to try every means to get into Nurmengard?"
Grindelwald didn't say anything, but just raised an eyebrow with a "you know what I mean" look.
Ahead, Dumbledore has begun his speech.
It details Voldemort's evil deeds, the damage he caused over the decades, and the terrible effects of various forms of dark magic.
Lockhart discovered that Old Dumbledore had not exaggerated the problem, nor had he overemphasized the evil of the captured henchmen of the Dark Lord.
"Those people won't be executed?" Lockhart asked, somewhat puzzled.
This was different from his understanding of Dumbledore. Dumbledore's consistent strategy was to establish Voldemort as a banner, and then gather all the opponents under that banner to eliminate them together.
But now, it's only targeting Voldemort.
"He was terrified." Grindelwald's eyes narrowed, his expression enigmatic. "The union of the wizarding and Muggle communities showed him a different world."
An extremely complex world.
That is, the conflict does not occur between the wizards and Muggles, but rather between the two groups that are intertwined and then split into various demands, some of which are even highly exclusive.
If war were to break out in the future, it would not be a clash between wizards' magic and Muggle technology.
Instead, it was a group of wizards and a group of Muggles fighting against another group of wizards and a group of Muggles.
Even worse, there is war between countless such combinations.
This is the most terrible.
Because it could really lead to utter destruction, the destruction of the entire world.
"He discovered the biggest problem with the past strategies..." Grindelwald sneered, "The strict enforcement of the Secrecy Act has divided the wizarding community into various Ministries of Magic, just like the Muggle community. Our generation fought for the survival space of wizards and improved the Secrecy Act. The emergence of more Muggle wizards and half-breed wizards has allowed the hatred between Muggles to continue into the wizarding community."
Wizards in the respective jurisdictions of the British and French Ministries of Magic, who were originally a unified group, now seem to be experiencing a kind of antagonism typical of Muggle society spreading among the wizarding community.
Grindelwald laughed when this was mentioned.
"The wizards of the past were humans outside of Muggles, outcasts who survived by hiding in the shadows during witch hunts. They were a whole, a collective brought together by external pressure."
"Modern wizards are a continuation of Muggles from various countries..."
Old Ge stopped there.
Lockhart suddenly realized.
Oh my god~
That's so interesting.
Old Deng is now stuck in a dilemma, unable to see things clearly.
Furthermore, this division within the wizarding community will become even more severe; conversely, the hard-won power of Muggle and half-blood wizards will turn into a terrifying backlash.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, other forces found a way to survive.
For example, Grindelwald, and Lockhart.
While they speak righteous and correct words on the surface, undercurrents are surging beneath the surface, and the future remains uncertain.
Lockhart, on the other hand, was already building his own ship.
Soon, Voldemort's henchmen were brought to the stage to face trial in person by the International Wizengamor Court.
Among those people, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly Igor Karkaroff, the principal of Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
Yes, even Lockhart didn't know that this guy had actually returned to Voldemort's command?
"I heard that after he learned of Voldemort's return, he secretly slipped away and went into hiding?" Lockhart didn't understand how this guy could possibly rush back to be Voldemort's dog.
"Yes, but I sent men to find him and deliver him to Voldemort," Grindelwald said casually.
"!!!"
Lockhart exclaimed, "Wow! He should be considered a redeemable force, I know he's no longer willing to be a Death Eater."
Grindelwald remained calm. "Whether he wants to continue being a Death Eater or not is nobody's business. I need him to be one, so he has to be one."
With that, Grindelwald turned to Lockhart, "After this meeting, I will be taking over Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Would you be willing to come and serve as its vice-principal?"
What?
Lockhart blinked, pointed to himself, and said, "Me?"
"Yes," Grindelwald nodded. "While Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry holds a very special historical position and boasts what is considered the most comprehensive collection of magical books, Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is also quite good, possessing the most complete collection of war magic, dueling magic, and ancient sorcery in the wizarding world!"
Ancient witchcraft is a nice-sounding term; in modern terms, it mostly consists of black magic.
Lockhart shrugged. "You know I can't go there. I have so many students I'm teaching..."
Grindelwald looked at Lockhart with a mocking gaze. "Then let's see if Dumbledore can tolerate you continuing to wield such influence in his school and build an organization based on his students, or if you can tolerate Dumbledore's changes."
Yes, that makes sense.
But Lockhart didn't care.
If Dumbledore really wants to disband his Duel Club, then so be it. He can't just say that if the Duel Club is gone, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Percy, Crabbe, and other students will become strangers or even enemies with him.
If that's the case, then there's no need for him to continue teaching these people, is there?
"Teaching at Hogwarts is a fun magical experience," Lockhart replied with a smile. "Fairy tales have a beginning and an end, and I only enjoy the process and care about the process."
Grindelwald nodded. "You're a very special young man!"
But he still hasn't given up on recruiting Lockhart, only saying, "Time will tell. After I take over Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I plan to restart the Triwizard Tournament. You can answer my question after that tournament."
Lockhart simply smiled.
(End of this chapter)